PALMYRA — The mother who started a fire that destroyed three buildings and damaged a fourth has pleaded guilty to felony arson.

Christina L. Nicklaw, 29, formerly of 236 E. Main St., pleaded guilty to fourth-degree arson, the highest charge against her, in Wayne County Court on Monday, Wayne County District Attorney Rick Healy said. She was sentenced to 5 years’ probation.

“I felt jail would serve no purpose in her case due to her mental illness,” Healy said. “The judge agreed.”

Nicklaw was arrested by Palmyra police in June after a grand jury handed down an indictment that included charges of felony fourth-degree arson, fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child. Nicklaw’s trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 7 when she entered her guilty plea. If convicted of the most serious charge at trial, she would have faced a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison.

The fire broke out on May 3 in a third-floor apartment at 236 E. Main St. Some 16 fire companies from three counties battled the blaze for about four hours before bringing it under control. But the fire spread quickly from building to building due to a lack of fire walls, which are required in new construction. These buildings, each of which housed ground-floor businesses and two stories of apartments, were built back in the 1800s, long before fire regulations were in effect.

The ensuing investigation revealed Nicklaw allegedly started the blaze by setting fire to a pile of blankets and sheets in her bedroom while her 4-year-old daughter was still in the apartment, Healy said following the indictment. Nicklaw’s boyfriend discovered the fire and put it out. The boyfriend then asked Nicklaw if she was trying to kill herself, Healy said, and Nicklaw said yes, she was. She was taken to the hospital by her boyfriend after he thought he had sufficiently snuffed out the fire. Fire investigators believe the smoldering blankets and sheets rekindled flames and the fire broke out anew.

Nicklaw was examined by psychiatrists for the defense and prosecution, Healy said, and they both confirmed her mental illness.

“Psychiatrists felt due to her mental illness she was unaware of her actions when she started the fire,” Healy said. “She was hearing voices...It was a bad situation.”

Healy said under the supervision of the Wayne County Probation Department, she will be closely monitored, and if in-patient treatment is necessary, then she will be admitted. Nicklaw is currently under the care of Wayne Behavorial Health, where she is getting the services she needs, he said.

Healy said no restitution was ordered in light of the fact that Nicklaw is destitute and damage from the fire totaled millions of dollars.